USEFUL INFORMATION ON VELVET UNDERGLAZE COLOURS

LEAD FREE UNDERGLAZE COLOURS.

*= suitable for use to 1300 deg.C.     + = contains cadmium and lead frit

Underglaze colours may be applied to green ware or onto biscuit  using universal medium. If sufficient flux is added, colours and stains  can be made self glazing and matt colours  developed.

VELVET UNDERGLAZE COLOURS

Velvet Underglazes are vibrant, semi translucent, fluxed colours  which are very versatile and offer three alternative techniques:

1.When left unglazed and then fired 1000 deg.C - 1100degC, they give semi matt surfaces to simulate cloth and fur textures. With slightly higher firing they assume a slight sheen. Glazing is not essential allowing  permanent decoration of finely detailed modelling without having the detail rounded away by subsequent glazing.

2.When used in normal Underglaze fashion they can be glazed by dipping , spraying  , or a transparent brush on glaze can be used. The colours intensify and give glossy results.

3.They can be used  majolica fashion on the unfired glaze, the flux content of the colours giving more predictable results.

Velvet Underglazes fire true to colour as applied from the jar and can be mixed to give  to give many more different shades. They tolerate a wide firing range and can be used on porcelain and stoneware with the exception of orange and red. Velvets vitrify at about cone 4 - 6  and can be used on clay, Bisque or on the  glaze and can be applied by brushing, sponging or spraying.

 
Velvets 380-384 have a unique formula that makes them very versatile. They can be used in detailed design work as a Cone 06/05 underglaze or they can be fired up to Cone 6 and maintain their intensity and brightness.

Application Methods.

Brushing- Keep brush fully loaded at all times. For solid coverage, as in backgrounds, apply 3 or 4 coats of colour, working in opposite directions with each layer of colour. Wait for water sheen to disappear between coats.

Sponging - Pour colour onto a glazed tile. Saturate a slightly dampened fine sponge with colour and lightly pat onto the greenware or bisque , allowing the first coat to dry thoroughly before applying the next. Solid back-grounds can be quickly achieved by using this method which eliminates the streaking  that often appears when using a brushing method.

Airbrushing - Dilute colour with water to the consistency required for a smooth spraying application. For solid colour coverage airbrush 3 to 4 coats, for shading, one coat is generally sufficient.

Antiquing - Dilute 2 parts colour with 1 part water, for an antiquing solution. Apply to bisque with as large a brush as possible. Allow to dry. Remove the colour from the large areas with a moist sponge, rinsing and turning the sponge  often to produce clear highlights - exposing the embossed design.